Question Period Note: EXPORT OF LIVE HORSES FOR SLAUGHTER

Q1 – Will the Government support Private Members' Bill C-355? Q2 – Why has the Government not acted on this mandate letter commitment? Q3 – What is the size of the live horse export market for slaughter? Q4 – What is the anticipated impact of the export ban on this sector? Q5 – This Bill will impact Indigenous producers. Why were First Nations and Métis groups not consulted on this? Q6 –Why is the government implementing a policy based on emotion? Q7- What actions are being taken by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency with regards to the new information provided by Animal Justice regarding injuries and deaths of horses being exported to Japan?

R.1 - The Government will deliver on the commitment to ban the export of live horses for slaughter. We appreciate the initiative taken by the member of Kitchener-Conestoga and look forward to continued engagement on this important topic at every stage of this Bill. R.2 - The Government takes this commitment seriously and acknowledges the need to develop policies and strategies that are effective. As a review of the bill is undertaken through Parliament, it is important to note that this is a complex issue that touches on a number of key considerations, including legal obligations, international trade commitments and relations, animal welfare, and public morals.

We value the perspectives of stakeholders and partners affected by government decisions. This requires extensive research and engagement, to ensure all considerations are properly identified and addressed. R.3 - According to Statistics Canada, 2,512 horses, valued at approximately $19 million, were exported for slaughter in 2023. All of the exports were to Japan. R.4 - At present, there are less than five export companies and a few hundred producers that we anticipate could be directly impacted by the ban. The Government of Canada remains committed to working and engaging with key stakeholders, provincial and territorial partners, Indigenous communities and animal rights advocacy groups to better understand the consequences of a ban. R.5 - We recognize that concerns have been expressed regarding the impact of the Bill on Indigenous producers who breed horses for the live export market. We continue to gather information on Indigenous participation in the sector. Initial engagements have occurred between Government officials and some Indigenous organizations. The Government of Canada will continue to prioritize its relationship with Indigenous Peoples and communities throughout the legislative process. R.6 - Canada has a robust system of laws and regulations in place to protect animal welfare. The Government of Canada recognizes that concerns continue to be raised regarding the export of horses for slaughter, and we remain committed to ban the export of live horses for slaughter. R.7 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recently received information from Animal Justice regarding unreported horse deaths and serious injuries in horse shipments to Japan.

CFIA officials have met with Animal Justice to hear their concerns. They have also met with the primary air carrier transporting these horses and are following up with Japan’s Ministry of Agricultural, Forestry and Fisheries to gather further information.

On September 13, 2024, the Agency informed the exporter and the air carrier that export certificates would not be signed for the horses scheduled to depart the Edmonton International Airport on September 16, 2024. This decision was based on records recently provided to the CFIA and additional information that was gathered by CFIA inspectors following the initial report of unreported horse deaths.

The CFIA takes the issue of animal welfare very seriously and will continue the investigation into this issue, while continuing to ensure that regulated parties are complying with the humane transport regulations. It should be noted that noncompliance to Health of Animals Regulations that occurs in another country often takes time to identify.

Current policy for the live export of horses for slaughter

At present, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) does not have the authority to deny export shipments that are in compliance with the humane transport regulations and the requirements of the importing country.

Live horse exporters must comply with any applicable animal transport requirements of the Health of Animals Regulations. For example, CFIA veterinarians and inspectors verify that:

the horses are fit for transport;

the loading of horses into crates is completed in a manner that is not likely to cause the horse’s suffering, injury or death;

the combination of horses in each crate meet the requirements for compatibility and are not overcrowded;

transport is scheduled to be completed within the maximum travel time that horses can go without feed, water and rest (28 hours); and

CFIA veterinary inspectors are present for air shipments of horses to certify the export as required by the Health of Animals Act.

Private Member’s Bill

On September 19, 2023, Tim Louis (Kitchener-Conestoga) introduced Private Member’s Bill, C-355, Prohibition of the Export of Horses by Air for Slaughter Act. On May 9, 2024, the Bill passed in the House of Commons. On May 21, 2024, it was introduced and read for the first time in the Senate, and its Second reading is currently in progress.

Senator Pierre J. Dalphond introduced Bill S-270 in the Senate on June 21, 2023, “to amend the Health of Animals Act and the Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations (live horses).” This bill was subsequently dropped from the Senate Order Paper on March 21, 2024.

Health of Animals Act and the Health of Animals Regulations

Under the Health of Animals Act (HAA) and the Health of Animals Regulations (HAR), the CFIA has legislative authority for the humane transport of animals entering or leaving Canada or within Canada.

The CFIA amended the humane transport regulations on February 20, 2020. These were the result of a number of consultations that the CFIA undertook with stakeholders since the early 2000s. The amendments provide clarification by adding definitions; improve animal welfare during transport; reduce the risk of suffering during transportation; better align with Canada’s international trading partners; and remove obsolete or unnecessary requirements.

Recent Animal Justice Findings

Animal Justice shared documents obtained from the government of Japan which allege that 21 deaths from live horse exports occurred between May 2023 and June 2024.

CFIA met with Animal Justice on September 9, 2024, and discussed the provided information. On September 13, 2024, after verifying these allegations and communicating with Japanese authorities and the air carrier, the Agency informed the exporter that export certificates would not be signed for horses scheduled to depart the Edmonton International Airport on September 16, 2024.

The Agency communicated to the exporter and air carrier that, based on all information available at this time, no export certificates would be issued until the regulated parties can demonstrate that they are in full compliance with regulations. These requirements include demonstrating that all regulated parties have taken appropriate steps to be in compliance with the regulations.

Under the Health of Animals Regulations, exporter and air carriers must provide a report to the CFIA veterinary inspector at the port of embarkation about every animal that was seriously injured, died or was killed during transport by aircraft.

The CFIA has provided guidance to the air carrier on these requirements and understands that they are working together with the exporter to demonstrate how regulatory requirements are expected to be met. The Agency will continue to work with the exporter and the air carrier to ensure regulatory requirements are clearly understood and may certify future flights if issues of non-compliance are corrected, and the outcome of humane transport can be met.

Legal challenge – CFIA’s enforcement approach to welfare of export of live horses for slaughter

In response to the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition’s court challenge against the CFIA’s enforcement approach, the Federal Court ruled that the CFIA is engaged in the protection of animal welfare during export and is reasonably exercising its discretion and dismissed the CHDC’s application for a judicial review. That decision is now under appeal but on hold due to the Government’s commitment to ban the live export of horses for slaughter.

In June 2024, Animal Justice released the results of a joint investigation with the Japanese animal protection group, Life Investigation Agency. The results detailed alleged legal violations in shipments of live horses from Canada to Japan. On June 26, 2024, Animal Justice lodged a formal complaint with the CFIA based of the observations made in their investigation.

CFIA met with Animal Justice on September 9, 2024. After reviewing the information provided, CFIA inspectors followed up with the primary air carrier of horses to Japan to obtain further information about certain flights where horses may have died or been seriously injured and about the airline’s regulatory compliance policies and practices.

The commitment to ban the live export of horses was included in the Minister of Agriculture’s mandate letter in 2021.

We welcomed the introduction of Bill C-355 by the member from Kitchener-Conestoga. On May 9, 2024, the Bill passed in the House of Commons and is currently in the Senate.

We have consulted industry members, provincial governments, animal welfare advocates, and scientific experts in consideration of the best way forward.

We will continue to work with the member from Kitchener-Conestoga every step of the way, and we encourage members of all parties to collaborate, to ensure this Bill moves through the parliamentary process in a timely manner.

We are aware of the new information regarding concerns with recent live horse shipments to Japan. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is taking these concerns very seriously and is doing a full investigation on this matter.